Mosquito-borne Diseases 

Do not fall victim to a Mosquito-borne disease.

Diseases like Ross River Fever, Dengue Fever and Barmah Forest Virus are transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. 

Ross River Fever (Australia-wide)

Dengue Fever (periodic outbreaks in north Queensland)

Barmah Forest Virus (Australia-wide).

Some mosquito-borne diseases appear very rare but still pose a risk. These extremely rare diseases are Murray Valley encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and malaria. There is no vaccine for the majority of most mosquito-borne diseases, with the exception of Japanese encephalitis.

Reduce the Risk of Being Bitten by Mosquitoes

Simply, to protect yourself from mosquito-borne diseases you should avoid being bitten by mosquitoes this is easier said than done.

With most mosquitoes being most active at sunrise and sunset you need to protect you and your family. So that’s the time of day you should take special care to avoid being bitten.

Now here are some options of yesteryear:

Use personal 'tropical strength' insect repellents containing 'DEET' or 'picaridin' (always read the label and follow manufacturers guidelines, particularly for infants) Who knows what toxins we are rubbing into our blood stream?

Or use a plug-in zapper (indoors) , use mosquito coils (indoors and outdoors) How bad do they smell?

Choose screened or air-conditioned holiday accommodation. Take your family on a holiday and play hostage to mosquitoes and midges, how rediculous.

In the home, screen doors and windows and get rid of containers that can hold water, where dengue mosquitoes like to breed. Yes some good common sense activity will help reduce the risk of being bitten by disease infested mosquitoes.

Wear long, loose clothing outdoors whenever mosquitoes are prevalent. Prevention is often better than cure.

If camping, sleep under a mosquito net and zip up tents whenever possible. This will help protect and reduce the risk but no guarantee applies.

There is an easy solution “Break the Breeding Cycle” Kill the female and you potentially kill 3000 mosquitoes.

Mosquito Slayer is the World’s No 1 mosquito trap. No other trap destroys more mosquitoes and midges. Don’t get trapped settling for any other mosquito trap.

Symptoms of Mosquito-borne Diseases

Infection with mosquito-borne diseases may cause illness ranging from mild to very serious. Illness may include flu-like symptoms such as pain in muscles and joints, rashes, headaches and fever or chilly sensations. If you are unwell visit a doctor immediately. The doctor can perform a specific blood test this will confirm whether your illness is caused by a mosquito-borne virus.

Reactions to Mosquito and Midge Bites

Generally, people who haven’t lived in the tropics may react to insect bites with itchiness, slight swelling and redness. If you are concerned about reactions to bites, visit a chemist or pharmacy shop for advice.

Ross River Virus

Ross River virus occurs throughout Australia including Tropical North Queensland. It is spread by a variety of freshwater and salt marsh mosquito species. Ross River fever cases are most commonly reported from adults. People who have been infected with the virus develop lifelong immunity.

Dengue Fever

About once a year Tropical North Queensland has a local dengue fever outbreak. This happens when someone bring the virus to the resident dengue mosquito population from overseas. Dengue mosquitoes live in and around buildings and bite during the day.

During a dengue outbreak local residents may be at risk of being exposed to dengue fever, but because dengue mosquitoes live and breed in and around buildings, usual tourist activities like visiting the rainforest, reef and beach carry very little risk.

Barmah Forest Virus

Barmah Forest virus has similar symptoms to Ross River Virus although usually the illness is of shorter duration. The virus is passed to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes contract the virus from infected marsupials such as possums, kangaroos and wallabies. Some people may become infected without showing any symptoms at all.

Extremely Rare Diseases

The following mosquito-borne diseases are extremely rare:

Murray Valley encephalitis, or Australian encephalitis, is extremely rare in Queensland with one case reported in the last 10 years. It usually occurs in inland or remote Queensland following extensive flooding. General preventative measures to protect against mosquito bites are recommended particularly during the time from dusk through to dawn.

Japanese encephalitis is also extremely rare. The only area in Australia that is affected by Japanese Encephalitis is parts of the Torres Strait (island groups on the northern tip of Australia). Seek medical advice prior to visiting this area for a prolonged period, as vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis may be recommended. General preventative measures to protect against mosquito bites are recommended particularly during the time from dusk through to dawn.

Malaria - Australia was declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization in 1981. Malaria prophylaxis is NOT required for travel throughout Australia. Nevertheless there are many imported cases of malaria in Queensland each year. These people acquired malaria outside Australia.

If travellers with untreated malaria return to Australia and are bitten by mosquitoes capable of carrying malaria, there is a small possibility that it could be transmitted to others. The surveillance and control work of the communicable disease control unit and medical entomology staff at Queensland Health’s Tropical Population Health Network prevents malaria from being re-established in Australia.